Mobile home insurance is also known as manufactured home insurance, depending on the age of the home, and is much like any other homeowners insurance policy. It covers the dwelling, your personal property and offers liability protection.
Mobile home insurance is known in the industry as an HO-7 policy, although some mobile homes will qualify for an HO-3 (standard home insurance) with a mobile home endorsement. It’s designed specifically for the needs of mobile homes. The average cost of mobile home insurance varies widely depending on where you’re located.
Many companies offer mobile home insurance policies. Below, we’ve listed some of the best picks so you can shop, compare and find the best mobile home insurance for your needs.
Key takeaways
- Mobile home insurance covers the home itself as well as other structures on the property, your personal property and also provides liability coverage.
- Allstate and State Farm are two of the best-known companies for mobile home coverage, while Assurant and Foremost are smaller companies that specialize in manufactured home insurance.
- Claims history, location, and coverage limits are some of the factors that influence mobile home insurance rates.
What are the best mobile home insurance companies?
The best mobile home insurance company for you will come down to your personal needs, but we’ve gathered rating information on some of the biggest names in the business to help you decide.
Among the options are specialty insurance companies like Foremost. Since J.D. Power doesn’t rate smaller insurance companies, no rating is available.
Allstate
- J.D. Power rating: 815/1,000
- NAIC complaint index: 2.04 (above average)
- A.M. Best financial strength rating: A+
Allstate offers specialized coverages for your mobile home, such as personal property endorsements for higher-value items, green improvements reimbursement and sports equipment. If you already have other Allstate policies, you'll receive a multi-policy discount, as well as original owner, retired individual or security system discounts.
American Modern (AMIG)
- J.D Power rating: N/A
- NAIC complaint index: 2.11 (above average)
- A.M. Best financial strength rating: A+
American Modern offers mobile home insurance to homes of all ages. If you plan to rent out your mobile home, AMIG also provides rental coverage. American Modern offers vacant home coverage and will take on risks other companies will turn down, including owners with bad credit.
Assurant
- J.D. Power rating: N/A
- NAIC complaint index: NR
- A.M. Best financial strength rating: A
Assurant has partnered with GEICO, Liberty Mutual and Progressive to provide manufactured home insurance to policyholders. Assurant offers online manufactured home quotes so you can buy mobile home insurance online.
Assurant aims to keep manufactured home insurance simple – you'll get coverage for perils other mobile home insurance companies may not offer, such as earthquakes or floods. These coverages are usually optional with the few companies that provide them, but with Assurant, they're included in a standard mobile home policy.
Foremost
- J.D. Power rating: N/A
- NAIC complaint index: 3.44 (High)
- A.M. Best financial strength rating: A
Foremost, part of the Farmers Insurance Group, claims it was the first insurance company to insure mobile homes. The company provides manufactured home insurance to AARP's huge network of 37 million members. A couple of unique offerings from Foremost include replacement cost and hobby farm or ranch liability coverage.
The replacement cost coverage endorsement may get you an extra 20% on your property damage settlement because Foremost won't deduct depreciation on your damaged property. You'll be able to replace the items with new ones of "comparable material and quality" without settling for less than you had before.
State Farm
- J.D. Power rating: 829/1,000
- NAIC complaint index: 1.07 (average)
- A.M. Best financial strength rating: A++
State Farm has a variety of endorsements and coverages, so you can customize your policy. Those include earthquake and volcanic explosion coverage. You can save on your policy by taking advantage of manufactured home model year discounts or bundling your manufactured home insurance with State Farm auto, home, motorhome and off-road vehicle insurance.
American Family
- J.D. Power rating: 842/1,000
- NAIC complaint index: 0.6 (below average)
- A.M. Best financial strength rating: A
American Family Insurance only underwrites manufactured homes in 19 states but provides unique endorsements such as matching siding. The coverage costs as little as $25 per year but will reimburse you for up to $20,000 to replace all siding instead of a small area so it all matches.
Farmers
- J.D. Power rating: 792/1,000
- NAIC complaint index: 0.33 (below average)
- A.M. Best financial strength rating: A
Farmers structures its mobile home policies to give you options for getting paid in case of property losses or damages. With an agreed-value loss settlement, you'll receive the full amount of insurance as a lump sum to rebuild or order a new home faster. Add optional replacement cost coverage, and you'll get the cost of replacing items with new ones instead of receiving the item's depreciated value.
How much is mobile home insurance?
Trusted Choice, an online platform of independent insurance agents, estimates that mobile home policies vary between $300 and $1,000 per year. However, the cost of manufactured home insurance can vary widely by ZIP code. Florida may be the most expensive state due to its extreme weather. The average mobile home insurance rate in Florida ranges between $860 and $2,400, depending on the county, with most counties averaging $1,000.
What factors affect the cost of mobile or manufactured home insurance?
Several factors may affect your manufactured/mobile home insurance rate. Some are out of your control, while others can be adjusted. They include:
- Age and condition of your home
- Your location – some areas are more prone to theft, fires, hail or wind damage than other areas
- Your coverage limits
- The amount of your deductible (higher deductibles mean lower rates.)
- Whether you qualify for discounts such as multiple policies, military service or having a home security system
- Your claims history
What does mobile home insurance cover?
Mobile or manufactured home insurance is a homeowners policy and covers the same things, including:
- Dwelling. The physical structure, such as the roof, attached deck or walls.
- Personal property. Covers your personal belongings if they're stolen or damaged.
- Liability protection. Covers injuries or damage for which you or a household member are responsible.
A manufactured home policy may also include specialty coverage, such as when the home is being transported to a new location.
Frequently asked questions about mobile home insurance
What is the difference between a manufactured home and a mobile home?
They are the same thing. The term "mobile home" was used before 1976 and was replaced that year with "manufactured home" by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) when new manufacturing standards were introduced.
Are there manufactured home insurance endorsements?
There are other optional endorsements you can add to an HO-7 mobile home insurance policy to increase your home's protection level. Some of the most common are:
- Water and sewer backup. Covers water damage caused by a broken sump pump or backed-up drain.
- Scheduled personal property. Provides additional coverage for expensive items such as appraised jewelry, collectibles or antiques.
- Replacement cost. Ensures that your items are replaced at the current price to replace them, rather than the depreciated value.
How much mobile home insurance do I need?
To decide how much insurance you need, take the following into account:
- The replacement cost of your manufactured home if you had to buy a new one, including any upgrades you have made
- The value of all of your personal property, from your TV to your towels.
You will need enough coverage to replace everything if it’s a total loss. Make sure to ask about replacement cost coverage, rather than actual cash value, so you aren’t hit with depreciation.
How can I buy mobile home insurance?
You can buy mobile home insurance from an agent or directly from an insurance company. A good place to start is with your current insurance company, as you might qualify for a bundling discount. But make sure to compare quotes from multiple companies. Once you choose a policy, submit your application and pay your premium to get started.
If your mobile home was manufactured before 1976 you should buy older mobile home insurance.
Can I buy mobile home insurance online?
It depends on the company. Some will provide quotes online but require an agent to finalize the purchase. Others will let you complete the entire process online.
Can you get flood insurance on a mobile home?
Yes. You will have to buy a separate policy for flood coverage, usually through the National Flood Insurance Program.
